A memorandum of understanding was signed at the China Merchants Hall, Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai on Saturday by Ang Moo Lim, evp sales Genting HK and president of Star Cruises, and Xu Yongjun, md, China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co.
Also during the news conference, Genting Hong Kong announced the future homeport deployment of SuperStar Virgo at Tai Zi Bay, Shekou from November.
Over the years, Genting HK has helped develop Sanya, Haikou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou, andShenzhen homeports, as well as Hong Kong and Taipei. This, chairman and ceo Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said, makes Genting HK the cruise company with the longest history and the most homeports in Greater China.
He added: 'Having observed the great potential of Shenzhen, from as early as 2002, we operated cruises to Vietnam from the old Shekou Port. We are pleased to see the development of Tai Zi Bay and even happier to ink a strategic alliance with China Merchant Group today, to join hands in developing cruise tourism in China.'
'Asia’s cruise industry is booming and China is expected to become the fastest-growing country in the world as international cruise lines ramp up their operations in response to surging demand from China’s emerging middle class,' said Li Jianhong, chairman of China Merchants Group.
Already well-known for its business strength in finance, property, logistics and trading, China Merchants Group is poised to enhance its international reputation by developing high-end cruise industry infrastructure through its collaboration with Genting Hong Kong and via expansion in cruise industry construction and operation, including cruise terminal construction and management, fleet development, maintenance and repair.
The Tai Zi Bay Cruise Terminal, capable of accommodating 220,000gt cruise ships, will start service in November and is expected to become a very important gateway for Shenzhen, while improving the city’s international standing as a modern, world-class metropolis, Li added.
SuperStar Virgo will debut its new homeport in Tai Zi Bay, Shekou, Shenzhen with a four-night cruise calling at Halong Bay and Sanya, a five-night cruise calling at Nha Trang, Da Nang and Sanya and a seven-night cruise calling at Halong Bay, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.
